COTABATO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DTI-ARMM) has concluded its three-day Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan Konsyumer (TNKK) summit in Cotabato City.
The summit, which began October 9, is part of the celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month that focuses on the protection of the buying public, as well as in promoting their interests and the vitality to the economy.
DTI-ARMM Secretary Atty. Anwar Malang said the TNNK summit aimed at discussing consumer protection and promote business, emphasizing the smart and proper investment of money. He said the event was significant to employees of the ARMM who will be affected by the transition to a new Bangsamoro region.
“Iyong mga empleyado ng ARMM na posibleng maapektuhan ng pagpasok ng bagong gobyerno, [sana’y] matututo dito kung paano nila gamitin ang kanilang pera nang tama at matuto kung paano magnegosyo, may it be from small, or large capital,” he said.
During the first day of the summit, Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Consumer Act, Price Act, Suggested Retail Price, Senior Citizens Act, Franchise Business Opportunities and fair trade-related laws were adequately covered.
On the second day, Sustainable Business and Financial Empowerment sessions were held, including education on the new currency facilitated by members of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development. Opportunities discussed in the last day of the event, through the industry cluster, include those in coconut, coffee, and abaca industries.
Meanwhile, Hannadi Mundas, 19, a marketing management student from Notre Dame University who attended the sessions, gave a positive feedback on the activity. “Natutunan ko dito kung paano mag-invest ng pera at tamang process ng pag–start ng business. Sa panahon ngayon medyo mahirap na rin i-budget ang pera, kaya sa tingin ko, makakatulong sa akin ‘yong mga natutunan ko dito safuture,” she said.
Jahara Ngindig, 33, an employee of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in ARMM, said the lectures were helpful to her, especially since she is among those who will be affected when the new government comes in.
“Makakatulong yung mga natutunan ko dito,halimbawa na lamang yung tamang paggamit ng pera na gagamiting pangkapital, dahil maaari namin itong ma-apply sa pagnenegosyo bilang sideline na rin namin,” she said.
Other parallel activities were conducted simultaneously during the three-day summit. These include jobs fair, skills and training seminars, and business and educational fora. The Consumer Welfare Month is celebrated in October pursuant to Proclamation No. 1098, Series of 1997. (Bureau of Public Information)
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